Teachers can play critical role in preventing abuse, panelist says

Published: 2004-04-14

BOSTON (CNS) -- Catholic educators can play a critical role in making sure that sexual abuse of children doesn't happen, said a workshop panelist at the National Catholic Educational Association convention in Boston. "Your role is unique in the face of this crisis," said Joan C. Duffell, director of community education for the Committee for Children, a Seattle nonprofit organization that provides curriculum materials. She told a group of about 30 educators April 13 that they were in the "best position to focus on prevention" because of their high standards and their knowledge of children and their families. Kathleen McChesney, executive director of the Office of Child and Youth Protection for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, also stressed that Catholic educators should take a key role in developing the education requirement of the "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People" developed by the U.S. bishops. But she also acknowledged the challenge many of them face with time and money constraints.

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